Cheap mercy (Luke 18:9–14)

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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Francois's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and online-only content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

The trappings of religion can cement you into places and postures that do not facilitate growth. This parable of Jesus is pretty cut and dry: vilify the Pharisee and venerate the tax collector. The assault on religious sensibilities is palpable. We are duly cautioned not to leave God's house intoxicated by our so-called clean and sanitized lives. When we converse with God without spiritual honesty, we reduce prayer to rhetorical gymnastics.